2. Millennium Force – Cedar Point

Image: Cedar Fair

Yes, a new roller coaster has displaced Millennium Force as the best in the world. Even in defeat, the most lauded attraction of the 21st century continues an incomprehensible streak. Since its inception in 2000, it has never finished lower than second in this category. In 2001, the first year it was eligible, this Cedar Point attraction unseated another beloved one among coaster enthusiasts, Magnum XL-200, to win the category.

Since then, Millennium Force has won nine times and now finishes second for the seventh time. Suffice to say that the voters feel compelled to place this coaster at or near the top of the ballot. To wit, it narrowly lost this year’s vote, falling four votes shy at 1,122 to the winner’s 1,126. A single ballot could have flipped the result in the category.

What’s so special about Millennium Force? “Everything” is a lazy answer, but it’s also true. This coaster uses a revolutionary cable lift system to elevate the rider to a height of 310 feet. The process takes only a few seconds, and it’s highlighted by a panoramic view of Lake Erie, although many folks are too distracted by the terrifying drop below to notice. Once the coaster cart plunges over the edge, it drops 300 feet at 80 degrees, one of the most literally breathtaking moments in all theme park tourism. The ride is 140 seconds of pure joy, and it’s dominated this category at the Golden Tickets for 16 years for good reason. Whether it’s held the number one spot for the last time remains to be seen, but I suspect it’ll yet stage a comeback.

1. Fury 325 – Carowinds

Image: Carowinds

Yes, last year’s best new ride according to the Golden Ticket voters has ascended to the best overall steel roller coaster in the world barely a year after its introduction. I’ve already chronicled the dominance of Bolliger & Mabillard in the steel coaster industry, but Fury 325 is their crown jewel.

This roller coaster is all about power. At 325 feet tall, it’s the highest roller coaster in the world. Not coincidentally, its 320-foot drop leads to an adrenaline rush at 95 miles per hour, making it the fastest Gigacoaster in the world. Basically, the architects of this attraction carefully studied the specs of Millennium Force and thought, “It’s time. Somebody has to knock the reigning champion off its pedestal.” And that’s exactly what has transpired in several key ways.

Fury 325 is taller, faster, and longer than Millennium Force. I’m not exaggerating when I say that the point of pride on this coaster was to usurp the crown. The specs are too suspicious otherwise. It’s like 2-3 percent better than Millennium Force in most categories, which borders on a compliment to the Cedar Point ride. After all, 15 years after its debut, incremental improvements are still all that’s possible.

Still, the biggest and baddest in any competition always claims bragging rights. At the moment, Fury 325 is the alpha of the steel coaster realm. Made for a respectable $30 million, it’s no more than anything else listed here once we adjust for inflation. In other words, Carowinds received tremendous bang for the buck in building what the Golden Ticket voters consider the best steel coaster in the world today. See for yourself in the video below.